Richard Ayoade to Host British Independent Film Awards

"I've been told it's been an outstanding year for British film, but I remember people saying very similar things last year. Let's celebrate regardless.”

Having last year given hosting duties to The Inbetweeners star Simon Bird, the British Independent Film Awards has found another British funnyman to front its upcoming event.

Richard Ayoade, the star of TV comedy The IT Crowd and, most recently, director of features Submarine and The Double, starring Jesse Eisenberg, was on Tuesday unveiled as the host for the Dec. 6 event.

"I have come to accept that I am now contracted to host this year’s Moet British Independent Film Awards, following in the esteemed footsteps of whoever dropped out," said Ayoade, who was BIFA and BAFTA nominated for Submarine.

"I've been told it's been an outstanding year for British film, but I remember people saying very similar things last year. Let's celebrate regardless.”

Yorgos Lanthimos' The Lobster leads the list for the 2015 awards with seven nominations, just ahead of Macbeth and 45 Years with six each.